One-Pot Spaghetti
Quick and Easy One-Pot Spaghetti Dinner with Optional Everyday Heat Kick
This one-pot spaghetti recipe is the weeknight hero you need—minimal cleanup, maximum flavor. Everything cooks together, from the savory meat sauce to the pasta, giving you a perfect, satisfying dinner in less than 30 minutes.
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb lean ground beef or Italian sausage
1 small yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
4 cups beef or vegetable broth
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 lb spaghetti, broken in half
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Heat It Up with Eleven Eleven Sauce: For a richer, more complex sauce, add a tablespoon of Blazing Citrus Medium to your meat mixture for a hint of Everyday Heat that balances the tomatoes beautifully.
Heat Level: 5.5 out of 10 🔥
Blazing Citrus “Medium” Hot Sauce brings bright sweet heat to any dish. Made with grapefruit juice instead of vinegar, it delivers a clean citrus finish with a smooth serrano kick at a comfortable medium heat. Spoon it over tacos, grilled chicken, shrimp, crispy potatoes, eggs, or grain bowls, or whisk it into mayo or yogurt for an instant dip or dressing. Crowd friendly and full of flavor, it lifts rich foods and makes everyday meals pop.
1. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat and chopped onion and cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned, about 5–7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
2. Add the minced garlic and stir for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, dried basil, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
3. Add the broken spaghetti to the pot, making sure the pasta is submerged in the liquid. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is al dente and the liquid has mostly absorbed.
4. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Let it stand for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken further.
5. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
Tips & Variations
For an optional Balanced and savory flavor, mix 1 tablespoon of Eleven Eleven Sauces’ Blazing Citrus Medium sauce into the meat mixture at the end of Step 1.
Make it vegetarian by swapping the ground meat for 1 (15 ounce) can of drained lentils or mushrooms and using vegetable broth.
Use other pasta shapes like penne, ziti, or rotini, but watch the cook time as they may vary slightly.
Other Users Suggest
Replacing crushed tomatoes with 2 (10 ounce) cans of Ro*Tel diced tomatoes and green chilies for a chunkier, spicier sauce.
Swapping beef or vegetable broth for 4 cups of water plus 2 tablespoons of beef bouillon paste for a richer, more concentrated flavor.
Substituting spaghetti with 12 ounces fettuccine for a different texture that holds up well in the one-pot method.
Storage, Reheat & Freeze
Store: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Reheat portions in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
Freeze: This dish freezes very well. Cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. The pasta texture may be slightly softer upon thawing.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) Calories:
450 Protein: 28g Carbs: 55g Fat: 14g
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